Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-01-15

sre respectfully commended to your alton
ton.
HIGHER SCHOOLS.
The three great educational institutions
of the state, the University at Lawrence,
the Agricultural college at Mania ttan. and
the Normal school at Emporia, are all IN
prosperous condition, with steadily in
oreasing enrolment Of students, constantly
improving appliances tor sduost,on aen, %ors'
They are all justifying, by their resulte, the
confidence and generous support OF the peo-
ole, and the state can afford to be liberal,
though not extravagant, in providing for
their up-building.
The permanent fund of the university
now aggregates Sill, HOSP; that of the Nor
NAL school, 81, 1921; and that Of the Ag-
ricultural college, $50, 0S6.33. All Of these
funds will be somewhat increased by sales
Of lands belonging to them.
There are complaints, OCCASIONALLY, that
the state has not been liberal in providing
facilities for the higher education of its
youth. These complaints are not we'll
founded. Since the admission of Kansas,
the appropriations made to these three in
situations, for buildings and current e1pen-
yes, have aggregated 81, 025, 9A.
The State University.-The reports of the
regents and other officers of the university
furnish full information concerning the con-
ditlop, prospects and needs of that institu-
ton. The university is steadily growing in
usefulness, and the high rank it has attained
among the great educational institutions of
the country ought to be, to our people, q
source of universal pride. During the last
fiscal year 419 students were in attendance,
Notwithstanding the fact that several Of the
lower classes had been discontinued.
The legislature, at its regular session, ap-
propriated $4,000 for the erection of Q
building to be devoted to natural history.
This building has been completed, and is
occupied for the purpose for which it was
provided. It is beautiful and substantial
structure, 100 by ITO feet, two full stories,
with basement and attic, and built of native
$50 students. The extensive and valuable
collections of the natural history depart
ment have been removed to the new build.
The new department of pharmacy has
oeen fully organized, and had, during its
first year, twenty three students enrolled.
The State Agricultural College.--The work
growth and present condition Of this i'm
portant educational institution are fully
detailed in the reports of its regents and
officers. The new college hall has been
completed; forty-four acres have been added
the farm; and the value of the college
property has increased, during the past two
years, from $145, 857. 95 to 800, 67803. The
annual attendance has increased from 395 to
1913, representing sixty Kansas counties and
eighteen states. In it's buildings, equipment
aud grounds, the agricultural college is
admirably adapted for work in it's special
field, and is justifying, in the results of it's
raining, the confidence and support of the
people.
State Normal School.-The reports of the
regents and officers of this institution show
that it is il very prosperous condition. Its
graduates are in demand as teachers, and
the enrolment Of pupils attending is stead
lily increasing. During the fiscal year end
ing June 30th, 1885, the enrolment was COS:
for the next year, it reached 724; and, during
the present year, it is believed that fully 800
young men and women, anxious to qualify
themselves as public educators, will be in
attendance.
The Legislature, during its session in 1886,
enacted a law "to further endow the state
normal school," by granting to ittwelve Sec
tions of land, known as the salt spring lands.
The governor was directed to appoint three
persons to appraise said lands,
and the board of regents was authorized to
sell them, upon terms and conditions pre-
scribed in the act referred to. In accordance
with authority thus given, on the Both of
March, 1876, appointed D. w. Finney, of
Neosho county, j. F. Billings, of Clay coun-
" dAO As LIZ NOO1HlSS VI lGuSSCll GUILTY., HIS
appraisers. These gentlemen erformed the
duties assigned them in very satisfactory
Not single appeal was taken from
the valuations made by them, which aggre-
gated ST., 800. The board of regents, through
committee consisting of Messrs. j. III.
franklin, w. II. Caldwell and E. w. Warner,
,old all the lands, except two quarter Sec
ions, at an aggregate of $7S,eS2. The lands
Old, with the exception of one tract, were
disposed of to resident tanners, all disputes
concerning the ownership of improvements !
md right to purchase being amicably set.
led by the committee. The two quarter Sec
ions unsold were appraised at an aggregate |
If 1920, and Iapprove the accommodation !
If the board of re,ents that these tracts be !
'old at private sale, thus avoiding Che ex-
,ense of reappraisement and advertising.
No appropriation was made to pay the |
expense of appraising, advertising and SELL
ne lands, which aggregated $500 IS. An |
appropriation for this purpose should be !
made.
The suggestions and recommendations of |
he board, concerning changes and needed |
in the school, deserve your |
,onsiderate attention.
THE EDUCATIONAL BOARDS.
It has been suggested that the three boards !
# regents having charge. severally, of the |
University, the agricultural college, and the |
.ormal school, should be consolidated, and
hat one board be given supervision of
II these institutions. do not believe
hat such system of management
Vould be practical, or advantageous either to
he state or the institutions. Each of these
chools occupies q different field, and the
egitimate ambitions and nvalries of each
promote the efficiency and prosperity Of all.
)ne board could not escape the suspicion, If
indeed it could avoid q real development, Of
'artiality. cts recommendations in favor Of |
at one institution would be
egarded, by the others, as favoritism; and
hus jealousy, discomfort and animosities,
urtful to the interests Of all, would be en-.
endere1. The expense Of the boards Of re-
ents might be reduced, as have elsewhere
uggested, by abolishing the mileage system,
ut would not advise placing the manage
acnt of the three institutions in charge of
ne board.
THE PERMANENT SCHOOL YUUD.
The permanent school fund now aggre-
atss 81, 061, 1897 SO, of whichamount a ,0O1,-
los is invested in interest bearing bonds.
his total. however, includes 81 1000 in bonds
school districts of Comanche county,